2021–22 Atlantic Hockey season

The 2021–22 Atlantic Hockey season was the 19th season of play for Atlantic Hockey and took place during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season. The regular season began on October 2, 2021 and conclude on February 26, 2022.[1] The conference tournament began in March, 2022 and concluded with American International winning the conference championship.

2021–22 Atlantic Hockey season
Season2021–22
ConferenceAtlantic Hockey
DivisionDivision I
Sportice hockey
DurationOctober 2, 2021–
March 25, 2022
Number of teams10
Regular season
Season championsAmerican International
Top scorerColin Bilek
Neil Shea
Atlantic Hockey Tournament
Tournament championsAmerican International
  Runners-upAir Force
Tournament MVPBlake Bennett
Top scorerBlake Bennett
NCAA tournament
Bids1
Record0–1
Best FinishRegional semifinal
Team(s)American International
Atlantic Hockey seasons
« 2020–21 2022–23 »

Realignment

On May 26, 2021, Robert Morris University announced that it would be ending both its men and women's varsity hockey programs effective immediately.[2] Fundraising efforts to save both program began immediately. While more than $1 million was secured in less than 3 months, by mid-August the school decided that the donations were insufficient to guarantee the program for the 2021–22 season and the team would look to return for the 2022–23 campaign.[3]

Due to the dissolution of the WCHA, Alabama–Huntsville submitted a bid to join Atlantic Hockey. The 10 existing conference members mulled over admitting UAH, Long Island (an Independent who had been in a scheduling alliance with Atlantic Hockey in 2021), and an unnamed third team that had expressed interest in joining the conference. The member teams ultimately decided against expansion for the 2021–22 season by a unanimous vote.[4]

Coaches

Bill Riga replaced David Berard as head coach for Holy Cross during the offseason.[5]

Wayne Wilson enters the season needing 9 wins to reach 400 wins.[6]

Records
Team Head coach Season at school Record at school Atlantic Hockey record
Air Force Frank Serratore 25 410–378–93 211–129–64
American International Eric Lang 6 82–73–14 68–43–13
Army Brian Riley 18 204–300–82 167–212–76
Bentley Ryan Soderquist 20 252–336–81 191–206–72
Canisius Trevor Large 5 52–62–13 42–44–10
Holy Cross Bill Riga 1 0–0–0 0–0–0
Mercyhurst Rick Gotkin 34 572–459–96 234–186–56
Niagara Jason Lammers 5 47–71–15 36–48–15
RIT Tigers Wayne Wilson 23 391–274–73 216–136–49
Sacred Heart C. J. Marottolo 13 142–237–45 115–164–38

Standings
2021–22 Atlantic Hockey Standings
Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OW OL SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#18 American International †*261772120549761382213313495
Canisius261311221143766735161639997
Army2612113012427568351417498100
RIT2612104133416982381816492115
Sacred Heart2611123013407270371518495100
Air Force2611123322377680361617399127
Mercyhurst26101240113675793916194114129
Niagara2610133221347079361122382122
Bentley2610142121347078361420294117
Holy Cross2610142300295672371223277108
Championship: March 19, 2022
† indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion (Riley Trophy)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Non-Conference record

Of the sixteen teams that are selected to participate in the NCAA tournament, ten will be via at-large bids. Those 10 teams are determined based upon the PairWise rankings. The rankings take into account all games played but are heavily affected by intra-conference results. The result is that teams from leagues which perform better in non-conference are much more likely to receive at-large bids even if they possess inferior records overall.

As a whole, Atlantic Hockey had a poor record against other conferences. While two programs ended with even marks in the regular season, no league member had a winning record in non-conference play. On aggregate, Atlantic Hockey posted losing records against every conference with the exception of ECAC Hockey.

Regular season record
Team Big Ten CCHA ECAC Hockey Hockey East Independent NCHC Total
Air Force 1–1–0 0–0–0 0–0–0 0–0–0 0–0–0 1–3–0 2–4–0
American International 0–0–0 0–0–0 0–1–1 1–4–0 0–0–0 0–0–0 1–5–1
Army 0–3–0 0–0–0 2–0–1 0–1–0 0–0–0 0–0–0 2–4–1
Bentley 1–1–0 0–0–0 0–1–0 1–2–0 0–0–0 0–0–0 2–4–0
Canisius 1–1–0 1–1–0 1–1–1 0–0–0 0–0–0 0–0–0 3–3–1
Holy Cross 0–2–0 0–0–0 1–1–0 1–4–0 0–0–0 0–0–0 2–7–0
Mercyhurst 1–3–0 0–0–0 0–0–0 0–2–0 0–0–0 1–0–0 2–5–0
Niagara 0–2–0 0–0–0 0–0–0 0–0–0 0–0–0 1–3–0 1–5–0
RIT Tigers 1–1–0 0–0–0 3–1–0 0–0–0 0–2–0 0–0–0 4–4–0
Sacred Heart 0–0–0 0–0–0 1–1–0 2–3–1 0–0–0 0–0–0 3–4–1
Overall 5–14–0 1–1–0 8–6–3 5–16–1 0–2–0 3–6–0 22–45–4

Statistics

Leading scorers

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes[7]

Player Class Team GP G A Pts PIM
Neil SheaJuniorSacred Heart2610152510
Colin BilekSeniorArmy267182520
Chris TheodoreSeniorAmerican International24717246
Jake StellaJuniorAmerican International259142310
Justin YoungGraduateAmerican International2510132312
Ryan NaumovskiJuniorNiagara26616222
Carson BrièreSophomoreMercyhurst249132220
Will CalverleySeniorRIT261210228
Carter WilkieFreshmanRIT269132227
Matt GosiewskiJuniorBentley26715224

Leading goaltenders

Minimum 1/3 of team's minutes played in conference games.
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average[8]

Player Class Team GP Min GA SO SV% GAA
Jake KucharskiSophomoreAmerican International16966352.9152.17
Jacob BarczewskiJuniorCanisius231294521.9242.41
Gavin AbricFreshmanArmy231313534.9272.42
Justin RobbinsJuniorSacred Heart201009410.9042.44
Matt RadomskyJuniorHoly Cross191128461.9092.45

Conference tournament
Main article: 2022 Atlantic Hockey Tournament

Teams are reseeded for the semifinals

First round
March 4–6 		Quarterfinals
March 11–13 		Semifinals
March 18 		Championship
March 19
1 American International 5 6 –
7 Mercyhurst 2* 2 – 9 Bentley 2 2 –
10 Holy Cross 1 1 – 1 American International 5
7 Mercyhurst 4
2 Canisius 1 1 –
7 Mercyhurst 2** 3 –
1 American International 7
6 Air Force 0
3 Army 4 2 –
8 Niagara 2 1 – 6 Air Force 5* 3* –
9 Bentley 3* 4 – 4 RIT 3
6 Air Force 4
4 RIT 1* 1 3
5 Sacred Heart 0 3 1

Note: * denotes overtime period(s)

NCAA tournament
Main article: 2022 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament

Midwest Regional semifinal
March 25, 2022
3:00 PM		(1) Michigan5 – 3
(2–1, 3–1, 0–1)		(4) American InternationalPPL Center
Attendance: 2,155
Game reference
Erik PortilloGoaliesAlec CalvarusoReferees:
Cameron Lynch
Brad LeBlanc
Linesmen:
Patrick Dapuzzo
Steve Drain
(Hughes, Moyle) Garrett Van Wyhe (5) – 03:371–0
(Brisson, Beniers) Ethan Edwards (3) – 04:162–0
2–112:32 – Brian Rigali (13) (Bennett, Galambos)
(Power, Johnson) Brendan Brisson (20) – PP – 20:433–1
(Brisson, Johnson) Matty Beniers (20) – GW – 22:434–1
4–226:15 – Justin Young (12) (Theodore)
(Power, Samoskevich) Dylan Duke (10) – 26:435–2
5–353:48 – PP – Blake Bennett (19) (Barriga, Young)
8 minPenalties6 min
31Shots32

Ranking
Main article: 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey rankings

USCHO
Team Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Final
Air Force NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
American International 20NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR1818
Army NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Bentley NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Canisius NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Holy Cross NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Mercyhurst NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Niagara NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
RIT NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Sacred Heart NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR

USCHO did not release a poll in week 24.[10]

USA Today
Team Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Final
Air Force NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
American International NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Army NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Bentley NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Canisius NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Holy Cross NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Mercyhurst NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Niagara NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
RIT NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Sacred Heart NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR

[11]

Pairwise
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Final
Air Force 1446284149535151585351525249444748514649484543
American International 1412505343393734313030272520182119212123242220
Army 1424444746444841444335393940434141393740404242
Bentley 1439203336323838362831323537333440434444424543
Canisius 1416353233322931303134343636373635373136373939
Holy Cross 1422454347515758525253535453545253525551535151
Mercyhurst 1449373837464947384345494747515151484544413939
Niagara 1449535252525052515150484952505046464744505050
RIT 1418333434384537333243444342403937393938393838
Sacred Heart 1435343135424644353836353238363737343734353535

Note: teams ranked in the top-10 automatically qualify for the NCAA tournament. Teams ranked 11-16 can qualify based upon conference tournament results.[12]

Awards

Atlantic Hockey
Award [13] Recipient
Player of the YearChris Theodore, American International
Rookie of the YearCarter Wilkie, RIT
Best Defensive ForwardJake Stella, American International
Best DefensemanZak Galambos, American International
Individual Sportsmanship AwardDaniel Haider, Army
Regular season Scoring TrophyColin Bilek, Army
Neil Shea, Sacred Heart
Regular season Goaltending AwardJake Kucharski, American International
Coach of the YearEric Lang, American International
All-Atlantic Hockey Teams[14]
First Team  Position  Second Team
Jacob Barczewski, Canisius G Gavin Abric, Army
Zak Galambos, American International D Anthony Firriolo, Army
Drew Bavaro, Bentley D Logan Britt, Sacred Heart
Chris Theodore, American International F Keaton Mastrodonato, Canisius
Colin Bilek, Army F Neil Shea, Sacred Heart
Will Calverley, RIT F Jake Stella, American International
Third Team  Position  Rookie Team
Jake Kucharski, American International G Tommy Scarfone, RIT
Brandon Koch, Air Force D Luis Lindner, American International
David Melaragni, Canisius D Mitchell Digby, Air Force
Braeden Tuck, Sacred Heart F Carter Wilkie, RIT
Carson Brière, Mercyhurst F Clayton Cosentino, Air Force
Ryan Leibold, Holy Cross F Shane Ott, Niagara

Conference tournament
Tournament MVP
Blake BennettAmerican International
All-Tournament Team
PlayerPosTeam
Alec CalvarusoGAmerican International
Brandon KochDAir Force
Zak GalambosDAmerican International
Blake BennettFAmerican International
Chris DoderoFAmerican International
Will GavinFAir Force

References
  1. "Composite Schedule". Atlantic Hockey. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  2. Benz, Tim. "Robert Morris hockey players mourn loss of men's and women's teams, lash out at administration". Trib Live. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  3. "Robert Morris hockey programs on hold until at least 2022-23 season". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  4. "Atlantic Hockey votes no on expansion". UAH Chargers. July 12, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  5. "Holy Cross names Bill Riga head men's ice hockey coach". Holy Cross Crusaders. May 4, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  6. "Men's Ice Hockey Coaching Records" (PDF). NCAA. 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  7. "2021-2022 Men's Ice Hockey Conference Statistics". Atlantic Hockey. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  8. "2021-2022 Men's Ice Hockey Conference Statistics". Atlantic Hockey. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  9. "AIC 3, Michigan 5 F". USCHO. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  10. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  11. "USA Today Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  12. "Men's Division I PairWise Rankings". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  13. "Atlantic Hockey Announces 2021-22 Regular season Awards". Atlantic Hockey. March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  14. "Atlantic Hockey Announces 2021-22 All-Conference Teams". Atlantic Hockey. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
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